Accused shooter says he was victimized many times

Willie Jones and his wife said they had their home broken into six times. (Source: Decatur Police Dept.)

DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -

Decatur Police confirmed a man who shot a teen he caught in his yard had been the victim of crimes. Police arrested the homeowner who shot the 15-year-old. It happened early Wednesday morning in the 200 block of 7th Street Northwest in Decatur.

Willie Jones and his wife said they had their home broken into six times. Items such as a bar-b-que grill had been stolen from outside their home. Decatur Police officials confirmed they have investigated burglaries and thefts there.

Jones, who was charged with second degree assault, said he didn't think he would have shot his gun if they hadn't been victimized so many times. He believed the two teens he found outside his home were trying to steal gas from his truck. Police said that is possible, but they don't have enough evidence to charge the boys.

It was about half-past-midnight when Jones woke up and discovered a motion detection light had been activated. He said the two teenagers were standing next to his truck. He told his wife to call 911, and got his gun. By the time he got to the door, the light wasn't on anymore, and it was dark.

When he opened the door, the juveniles took off, and he fired the gun. A bullet hit the 15-year-old boy in his rear end. He said he never wanted to shoot anyone. He wanted to scare them off. Police said his life was never in immediate danger, the boys were unarmed, and were fleeing when Jones shot.

The boy is out of the hospital and is going to be okay. The boy's relatives went to Jones' door, and had something to say to him. Jones said he didn't know whether they were angry or if they wanted some sort of revenge because he shot their cousin. However, they were not looking for revenge. They were there to make peace.

The boy was visiting his relatives who lived close to Jones on 7th Avenue Northwest. Jones said they apologized to him because the boy shouldn't have been there in the middle of the night. Jones said he told them sorry as well, and that he never wanted to shoot anyone.